In 1974, Patti Jordan, who worked in the pathology department at IU Health, got her twin sister Paula a job at the same place. Now, five decades later, their team is throwing them a joint-retirement party. “We’re excited, but it’s also sort of sad,” Paula reflects. “We’ve been here 50 years and now it’s time to start a new chapter.”

April is “Occupational Therapy Month” and one IU Health practitioner shares her unique personal and professional interests.

By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org

As she recently worked with a patient that she had seen many times, Mamta Barmeda spoke about the patient’s progress. She wrapped his hand in a heated blanket to improve blood circulation and then worked the tissues in his hand.

“The tissue talks to you. The hand muscles communicate. When they get unhappy it’s like they are laying on plate all convoluted like a heap of spaghetti,” Barmeda explained. With specially designed instruments, she used Astym treatment to stimulate tissue growth, and then began dry needling to target areas that contribute to the patient’s pain.

Barmeda was born and raised in Thane, India in the western India state of Maharashtra. She moved to Indiana at the age of 18 where she attended Indiana University and enrolled in business classes. It was by chance that she changed her area of concentration to occupational therapy.

“I went to a meeting for free pizza. It was for allied health students and they were electing officers for the organization. I ran for office, spoke my heart out, was elected to office and changed my major,” said Barmeda. “I looked at the different options and decided occupational health was the best match for me because it focused on holistic treatment of the mind, body, and soul.” She worked hard to obtain her degree and graduated with honors.

In her first jobs she was drawn to the patients’ hands. She went on to gain certification in hand therapy and is the only IU Health occupational therapist certified in dry needling. Specifically, dry needling is a type of therapy used to treat musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. It involves inserting a tiny, sterile needle into tissues with the intent of reducing pain and increasing circulation. Electrical stimulation may be added to intensify the treatment.

“It feels like a strange little muscle spasm,” said a patient who was receiving the treatment. He added that before he started hand therapy he was unable to put toothpaste on his toothbrush, apply deodorant, or remove a cap from a water bottle. After a year of hand therapy, he is seeing great improvements.

Barmeda decided to become certified in dry needling after she experienced the intense and ongoing neurology pain from shingles. “I had dry needling done once and it relieved he pain and it hasn’t come back. I became a firm believer in the benefits and wanted to help others,” said Barmeda.

Barmeda’s specialization of hand therapy has her seeing a different patient every 45 minutes.

She enjoys the rapport she establishes with her patients and personalizes each need. One patient needed a splint for her hand to rest. After leaving with the splint, the patient reported that the way the splint was configured made it difficult for her husband to sleep because he always held her hand. When Barmeda learned this detail, she modified the splint to be fabricated in a position that opened up the patient’s palms and fingers.

“The best part of my job is treating each patient as if they are my only patient,” said Barmeda., who is married and the mother of two boys.

When she’s not working, Barmeda is often seen walking the runway. She models for New York, and LA Fashion Week and has won three titles in the USA pageant world, including “Mrs. Bharat Elite Indiana 2023.” She was also named second runner-up in the “Mrs. Universe USA 2024” pageant. For the “prop” segment of the competition Barmeda designed a costume based on her personal story of being raised in a male-dominated society where she experienced discrimination. The words on her costume illustrated her journey of being “strong,” “bold,” “independent,” “resilient,” and “empowering.”

Barmeda has encouraged other women by sharing her message and was a featured speaker in March at the International Marketplace Coalition’s International Women’s Gathering.

“It’s important to me to help boost the confidence of others and empower them to do what they love,” said Barmeda.

A recent stroke study revealed young black women with high blood pressure carry a much higher stroke risk than white women or people of other demographics. Tamara Marakey is still battling deficits from a stroke she had 5 years ago. “Here I am at 50 finally thinking about future me. If I would have thought about my health more when I was in my 30s, maybe I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now. Young men and women, black, latino, white, it doesn’t make a difference, think about future you.”

Chris Perrott says he’s a walking miracle. On April 18, 2023, he didn’t know if he’d walk out of IU Health Methodist Hospital ER.

By TJ Banes, Senior Journalist IU Health, tfender1@iuhealth.org

As he recently sat through an occupational therapy session, Chris Perrott shared the accident that brought him to IU Health. He also shared the progress that he never thought possible.

Perrott, 41, was 25 feet up a ladder, working on a dryer vent outside his Greenwood home when he lost his balance and fell to the ground. The father of two, was rescued by neighbors and transported by ambulance to IU Health Methodist Hospital. He remained hospitalized for eight days and was out of work in software sales for 10 weeks.

The injuries of that April 18, 2023 tragic accident included a broken back, ribs, and heavily fractured left wrist.

“I am very fortunate. When I was in ER the doctors and nurses said I could have been paralyzed or even dead. The good Lord was looking out for me,” said Perrott. He credits IU Health’s Dr. Jesse Savage for completing a spinal fusion that included placing two rods and screws in his back, and Dr. Anthony Archual for a successful hand surgery. Since May of 2023, he Perrott has been working with IU Health Occupational Therapist, Mamta Barmeda, who is certified in hand therapy and dry needling.

During a recent therapy session, Barmeda used Astym treatment to stimulate tissue growth, specifically with scar tissue in Perrott’s hand.

“When I first came out of the cast, she wanted me to try to touch all of my fingers with my thumb. I couldn’t do it,” said Perrott, demonstrating the progress. “We focus on specific areas each time. They’ve taught me the difference between a great recovery and a mediocre recovery. I am given exercises and I’m sticking with it,” said Perrott.

As he recovers, Perrott looks forward to coaching his kids’ sports and attending their activities.

“I’m now able to start jogging, and golfing is next. Every day is something new. Even walking up steps was a big thing. Cutting my meat with two hands was not a thing at all. The basics we take for granted were things I couldn’t do – playing catch, hitting baseballs and softballs and running up and down the basketball court – I just couldn’t do,” said Perrott.

“I am relieved and pleasantly surprised by the care I have received through IU Health,” he said. “You don’t know what you don’t know until you go through something like this. I’ve faced each day with the attitude of ‘what can I do next?’ and I appreciate all the guidance from the surgeons and therapists to keep me moving ahead.”

Aaron Padgett started having abdomen problems in 2019, and with a family history of colon cancer, he had concerns that his symptoms could be pointing to a big issue.

He went to a doctor with his concerns, but the physician thought he was too young for colon cancer. After all, he was only in his late 30s at the time.

“October of 2021, I was diagnosed with stage two colon cancer,” says Padgett.

The following month, an IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians surgeon removed the tumor and 26 lymph nodes and resected his bowel. Afterward, everything looked great, with all signs pointing to no more cancer.

Still, Padgett started coming in for labs every three months to keep an eye on things. After seeing his CEA level steadily rising over the last year, his latest CT scan found a new tumor in the same spot as his previous.

“I’ve taken care of cancer patients, a bulk of my nursing career, and just never thought that I would be on the opposite side of the table,” says his wife, Carly Padgett, RN. “So it was a shock to the system when we found out the cancer returned.”

He’s currently undergoing chemotherapy at IU Health Bloomington before his next surgery and is very thankful that he kept going to his regular checks after his first remission.

“I’m pretty sure I’m going to be cured and go into remission from this,” says Aaron Padgett. “But we caught it early.”

It was a patient who asked: “Have you met Pam Bradley? She’s the best.”

By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org

Pamela “Pam” Bradley likes to say: “I love to love.” She’s one of the first faces patients see when they visit Multi-Disciplinary Oncology at IU Health Simon Cancer Center.

“You come in here scared and she makes you feel comfortable. She really does practice the IU Health Values,” said one patient. The system values include “Purpose,” – work to do good in the lives of all; “Excellence,”- do our best at all times in new ways; “Compassion,” – treat people with respect, empathy and kindness; and “Team” – count on and care for each other.

One of Bradley’s co-workers, Trena Hunt, described Bradley as “the most welcoming person in the hospital.” When Hunt started her job at IU Health she saw a prayer posted next to Bradley’s desk and she was so inspired she posted it near her desk.

The prayer reads: “Lord as I start the day, let me remember how blessed and lucky I am. Remind me to be grateful for the work I do, the people I meet, and the wage I receive. Keep me cooperative with colleagues and friendly to people I serve . . . “

What some patients don’t know about Bradley is that she has walked in their shoes. On April 5, 2022, she lost her husband of nearly 23 years. He was part of her life for 30 years and was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma cancer. He was treated in the same area of IU Health Simon Cancer Center where Bradley began working three years ago. They raised three children together, and have three grandchildren.

“It was sudden and he didn’t make it a year,” said Bradley. “I am very close with his doctor and nurse and I bring a different perspective to this role after going through it with my husband,” said Bradley. “‘I love to love’ is my favorite phrase and being here and going through what I went through I can empathize a little more. I know what the patient is feeling and the spouse is feeling.”

She’s been known to wrap her arms around patients that are nervous or upset, and giving them an extra dose of encouragement on their worst days. Bradley started at IU Health almost 27 years in neuro ICU and then moved to medical ICU doing tech work before taking on her administrative role.

“Pam encompasses what a truly engaged team member is,” said her supervisor Bill Straiton. “She enjoys what she does – that makes all the difference in the world. She is dedicated to IU Health and in doing so, brings the best with her every day. She has a personal commitment to the Simon Cancer Center patients. She has a conversations with almost everyone she serves everyday. The fact that she is aware that taking care of the patient at their first encounter with an IU Health team member sets the tone for the rest of their visit and drives her behavior.”

Bradley says she loves to put a smile on a patient’s face.

“When I worked as a tech, I was bedside and I could still make them smile but I couldn’t actively communicate with patients. In this role, I can actually see them light up. I love the attitude of my coworkers and managers. We are like a family.”

Terressa Sipes delivered her first child at 30 weeks. For more than two months she and her husband put their child and their trust in the hands of the NICU team at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Terressa, a dance choreographer, felt inspired to create a piece reflective of their time in the hospital.

“I wanted the dance to start with spoken word so I looked up some different poetry online and kind of compiled a poem… the very last line of the poem is, nurses are angels who walk on the earth. That just really struck me… so that’s what we chose for the title of the dance- Angels on Earth.”

A link to the full dance routine can be found here: https://youtu.be/5da1SDNNIa4

“Diabetes Alert Day” is March 26, a one day “wake-up call” that focuses on the seriousness of diabetes. One nurse offers insight into the diagnosis.

By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there are more than 38 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes. That’s more than 11 percent of the population.

IU Health Pediatric Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Cindy Youngman responded to five myths about diabetes. Youngman grew up in northern New Jersey and obtained her associate degree in nursing from SUNY Rockand, NY and her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Western Governors University. She has been with IU Health for three years and works at the Riley Pediatric Outpatient Clinic in Fort Wayne.

Youngman said she has wanted to be a nurse since she was a child because she wanted to help people and she finds medicine fascinating.

“I became interested in becoming a pediatric diabetes educator when my son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1999 at the age of 8. Even though I was a nurse, gave injections, and checked blood sugars regularly on my unit, it was still an overwhelming diagnosis,” said Youngman. “I thought about the people who have no medical background trying to learn about diabetes and wanted to help. It has become my passion and one of the greatest joys of my life.”

Following are five myths about diabetes that Youngman addressed:

1) Eating sugar can cause type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 is an autoimmune disorder and is not caused by anything the child has eaten or the parents have fed them.

2) A person with diabetes is handicapped/disabled.

We have patients who play all kinds of sports and are in many different types of activities. They can grow up to do whatever they want. People with diabetes have become professional football players, race car drivers, entertainers, swimmers, actors, and more. We encourage our kids to reach for the stars.

3) People with type 1 diabetes have to be on a special diet.

We encourage a healthy diet, as we would for anyone. If there are special treats, like ice cream, they need to cover it with insulin.

4) “You have diabetes? But you look like you are in shape.”

Many people do not realize there are different types of diabetes. Additionally, it is possible to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes even though the person is at a healthy weight.

5) People with type 2 diabetes brought it on themselves.

Some people think that being overweight is the cause of type 2 diabetes. Family history is a large contributing factor as well as age, race, and other conditions that play a role in whether someone is diagnosed with diabetes. Weight gain is only one risk factor.

For Youngman, a typical day may be meeting with a child and their parents. She described meeting with one family she’d never met before.

“The parents were upset at the start of the visit because it was possible that DCS might get involved. I reassured them that there was no judgement and we all agreed that we were working towards the same goal – improved diabetes care, said Youngman. She helped the family develop a plan and followed up with them again days later. “The day before the appointment with the provider, they were feeling anxious and called to review the blood sugar data, so they would be prepared for the visit. After the appointment they called again to say they had a great visit and were so pleased,” said Youngman.

With her guidance, they were counting carbs, giving insulin as directed, and the blood sugars were improving. “I could hear the excitement, happiness, and pride in their voices. They asked me to continue to stay in touch with them. I am so honored to be a part of their journey and to be able to help other families as well.”

Youngman is married and is the mother to two boys. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, growing flowers in her garden, photography, cooking, and going to farmers markets.

Nancy Strange is a senior clinical dietitian with Methodist Hospital’s comprehensive wound center. She works with physicians, physical therapists and other clinicians to help patients understand how important nutrition is to wound healing. “What we are currently seeing here in the clinic is a really high rate of micronutrient or vitamin and mineral deficiencies. All of those deficiencies create issues in the body’s ability to heal.”

Following a comprehensive review process that began more than three years ago, Indiana University Health West Hospital has attained Magnet with Distinction recognition. This is the third time IU Health West has achieved Magnet, and the first time the hospital has earned Magnet with Distinction. This achievement from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is the highest national honor for professional nursing practice.

Less than 10 percent of hospitals across the United States have earned Magnet status. Even fewer have earned Magnet Recognition with Distinction, a new ANCC designation recognizing the highest performing Magnet organizations around the world.

Magnet with Distinction celebrates hospitals and healthcare organizations that exceed the scoring thresholds required to attain Magnet designation. It raises the bar to recognize top-tier organizations that have achieved the highest level of nursing excellence while addressing emerging challenges and changes in health care moving forward.

“Magnet recognition is a tremendous honor and reflects our commitment to delivering the highest quality of care to this community,” said Kapri Ames, chief nursing officer at IU Health West. “To earn Magnet recognition once was a great accomplishment and source of pride for our team. Our repeated achievement of this credential showcases the excellence and values that drive our team to strive harder each day to meet the healthcare needs of the people we serve.”

Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to health care organizations and their communities, such as:

• Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information.
• Lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue rates.
• Higher job satisfaction among nurses.
• Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions.

“This is the gold standard for nursing excellence,” Ames continued. “I’m incredibly proud of our team and the work it’s taken to accomplish this. It goes beyond nursing – it’s truly been a collaboration of all disciplines within the hospital. Magnet recognition raises the bar for patient care and inspires every member of our team to achieve excellence every day.”

IU Health West Hospital was also awarded eight exemplars, including four in nurse-sensitive clinical quality in inpatient units for care in falls with injury, hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI’s), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI’s) and device-related HAPI’s. Three other exemplars were awarded in ambulatory care, as well as an exemplar in an inpatient patient experience. Magnet exemplars are stories that highlight excellence in nursing practice.

To achieve initial Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread engagement from leadership and staff. Health care organizations must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet standards and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality.

An organization reapplying for Magnet designation must provide robust documented evidence that showcases high quality nursing care, which is demonstrated through exemplary patient outcomes. The Magnet standards must be met throughout the four-year period since the organization received its most recent recognition. After document submission, the Magnet Program Office sends an appraiser team to an organization for a multi-day site visit, where they validate and verify everything shared in the document. Finally, the Commission on Magnet performs a thorough review and makes a final decision regarding re-designation.

Magnet with Distinction will compel higher levels of evidence-based practice, care delivery excellence, and optimal patient outcomes. It will give hospitals and healthcare organizations another way to demonstrate the value of nursing care to their communities. Magnet with Distinction is determined based on the review process. Organizations apply and are reviewed in the standard document submission manner.